My name is Sarah Jane. I'm a Rotary exchange student from Michigan (District 6290) living in Friedberg, Bavaria-Germany (District 1840). Through this blog, I hope to educate and humor with stories of how I struggle, triumph and ultimately become a better international citizen through my cultural wake-up call. Genießen, auf wiedersehen!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

anticipation killed the cat

August 2010. Outbound exchange students say their final goodbyes to friends and family. They board the planes that swoop them into their new lives. Sarah Jane McGinn sits at home reading her book and chilling with her cat all day. I guess you could say I'm a bit anxious, but I have SO MUCH time before I leave. I still have plans to fufill before the end of summer; a trip to Chicago and another to North Carolina. These are my mini-vacations before I depart. I find that I am slowly letting go of my life here. I see less of friends and more of my room. The rush to meet up with friends is laughable as we try to find corresponding dates. I'm more excited to say my final goodbyes than to say rushed hellos. I can feel my mind already drifting to the life that waits for me in Friedberg. Don't get me wrong, I'm terrified despite the calm demeanor my mother and I are enforcing. But I'm ready. Well, I'm ready but not quite prepared since my final flight plans haven't been sent to me yet. Oh well. The first lesson in Rotary: Patience. It really is a virtue. One that I was not hardwired with. --sjinternational